Prick potatoes and bake in middle of oven 1 to 1 1/2 hours, or until very soft. Cool potatoes until they can be handled and scoop flesh into a bowl.
With an electric mixer beat potatoes with chili paste, butter, syrup, and salt and pepper to taste just until smooth and spread in a buttered 2-quart shallow
baking dish. Potatoes may be prepared up to this point 1 day ahead and chilled, covered. Bring potatoes to room temperature before proceeding.